The Cleveland Browns continue their moves as free agency officially opens Wednesday at 4 PM. Legal tampering is taking place between teams and free agents from other teams but none of those deals or trades can be signed until later this afternoon.
Deals between teams and their own free agents can be completed at any time.
So far, the Browns have:
- Agreed to trade for WR Amari Cooper
- Agreed to a deal with DT Taven Bryan
- Agreed to trade LB Mack Wilson for DE Chase Winovich
- Agreed to a deal with returner/receiver Jakeem Grant
- Released WR Jarvis Landry
- Released OL J.C. Tretter
- Released TE Austin Hooper as a post-June 1st release
- Lost DB M.J. Stewart to the Houston Texans
- Received the 99th selection as a compensatory pick in the 2022 NFL draft
The team is now bringing back one of their own in linebacker Anthony Walker. Cleveland added him from the Indianapolis Colts last year. He was lauded for his leadership and play on the field.
Kimberley A. Martin first reported a deal was close:
Hearing #Browns are finalizing a deal with LB Anthony Walker
— KimberlEY A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) March 16, 2022
Adam Schefter then added that the deal was another one-year deal for $5 million.
In 2021, Walker played in 13 games for the Browns with 113 tackles, two tackles for loss, two passes defended and one sack. Going into 2022, he will continue to pair with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as starters with Jacob Phillips, Tony Fields II and Sione Takitaki providing the current depth.
Cornerback Greg Newsome took to Twitter to celebrate the news:
https://t.co/WqytMxpbOa pic.twitter.com/xhRvTnx7Or
— Greg Newsome II (@gnewsii) March 16, 2022
Stability among the ongoing quarterback instability is a good thing for Cleveland.